Eco-friendly netting and methods of growing and harvesting sod using the same

ABSTRACT

An eco-friendly netting for growing and/or harvesting sod and/or plants is disclosed herein. The eco-friendly netting includes a plurality of fibers arranged in a woven configuration or a substantially non-woven configuration. Each of the plurality of fibers is formed from a substantially natural material, which may also be biodegradable. The eco-friendly netting may be preseeded. The eco-friendly netting may be treated or processed with anti-rot agents, degrading accelerators, nutrients, fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, algaecides, herbicides, water absorption/retention enhancers or any combination thereof. Methods of growing sod and harvesting sod, which utilize the eco-friendly netting, are also disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting may be treated or processed to increase or decrease its functional longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to, and incorporates byreference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/066,946, entitled “Eco-Friendly Netting and Methods of Growing andHarvesting Sod Using the Same”, filed on Oct. 22, 2014.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to an eco-friendly netting. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an eco-friendly netting forgrowing and/or harvesting sod and/or plants.

2. Background

Traditional plastic turf netting is known and used in variousapplications, such as for sod reinforcement while the grass forming thesod is being grown. While plastic turf netting is capable of reinforcingthe sod during the growth period, it has many deleterious effects on theenvironment. For example, traditional plastic turf netting is notbiodegradable, and thus remains buried in the ground for many years. Theburied plastic can leach toxic chemicals that can permeate through thesoil and contaminate ground water. Although there are some varieties ofplastic turf netting that claim to be degradable, these nettingsessentially disintegrate under ultraviolet radiation and can still leachtoxic chemicals, eventually contaminating the ground water. In addition,conventional plastic turf netting often becomes entangled in grassmowing equipment, thereby damaging the equipment and the root system.Also, traditional plastic turf netting poses a substantial threat towildlife because various types of animals can become easily entangled inthis artificial netting product. Finally, because conventional plasticturf netting is extremely lightweight, it is readily susceptible tobeing undesirably displaced by the wind, thereby preventing the turfnetting from performing its intended functionality.

Therefore, what is needed is an eco-friendly alternative to traditionalplastic turf netting for sod growers and harvesters that does not havethe negative environmental impacts of plastic netting. Moreover,eco-friendly netting is needed that significantly reduces the chances ofnetting entanglement in grass mowing equipment and the threat ofwildlife entrapment. Furthermore, there is a need for eco-friendlynetting that is heavier than conventional plastic netting so as togreatly reduce the likelihood that the netting will be displaced bynatural forces acting thereon, such as that of wind-induced forces. Inaddition, there is a need for eco-friendly netting that is derived fromnatural and organic plant materials that can biodegrade without the needfor exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to eco-friendly nettingand methods of growing and harvesting sod using the same thatsubstantially obviates one or more problems resulting from thelimitations and deficiencies of the related art.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention,there is provided an eco-friendly netting for growing and/or harvestingsod and/or plants. The eco-friendly netting includes a plurality offibers or yarns arranged in a woven configuration or a substantiallynon-woven configuration, each of the plurality of fibers or yarns beingformed from a substantially natural material.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the plurality offibers or yarns are substantially natural, organic, and biodegradableand are configured to decompose naturally without requiring exposure toultraviolet radiation.

In yet a further embodiment, the substantially natural material isconfigured to absorb water so as to increase a weight of the materialand release the absorbed water back to the soil and thereby to the rootsystem.

In still a further embodiment, the plurality of fibers or yarns arearranged in an interwoven, twisted configuration.

In yet a further embodiment, the interwoven configuration in which theplurality of fibers or yarns are arranged comprises either a leno weaveor a basket weave.

In still a further embodiment, the plurality of fibers or yarns areconfigured to release nutrients to the soil as the fibers or yarnsdecompose.

In still a further embodiment, the plurality of fibers or yarns may betreated or processed to increase or decrease the time it takes for thefibers or yarns to biodegrade or decompose, thereby increasing ordecreasing a functional longevity of the netting.

In yet a further embodiment, the plurality of fibers or yarns do notcomprise a polymeric material or plastic.

In still a further embodiment, the substantially natural materialcomprises jute and/or cotton fibers.

In yet a further embodiment, the netting has a weight that is greaterthan a netting formed from plastic or another polymeric materialtraditionally used for sod growing or harvesting.

In still a further embodiment, the netting comprises yarns having athickness of between approximately 0.1 millimeters and approximately 2.0millimeters, inclusive (or between 0.1 millimeters and 2.0 millimeters,inclusive).

In yet a further embodiment, the netting has a mass per unit area ofless than 100 grams per square meter.

In still a further embodiment, the plurality of fibers or yarns form apattern of netting apertures.

In yet a further embodiment, each of the netting apertures has anopening size of at least 6.0 millimeters by 6.0 millimeters.

In still a further embodiment, the netting has a longevity of betweenapproximately 1 month and approximately 60 months, inclusive.

In yet a further embodiment, the netting has a longitudinal wide widthstrip tensile strength of less than 500 pounds per foot.

In still a further embodiment, the netting has a transverse wide widthstrip tensile strength of less than 500 pounds per foot.

In yet a further embodiment, the netting is preseeded.

In still a further embodiment, the netting is treated or processed withat least one of anti-rot agents, degrading accelerators, nutrients,pesticides, fungicides, algaecides, herbicides, water absorptionenhancers, water retention enhancers, or any combination thereof.

In yet a further embodiment, the netting is treated or processed toincrease or decrease a functional longevity of the netting.

In accordance with one or more other embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a method of growing sod using aneco-friendly netting. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providingan eco-friendly netting that includes a plurality of fibers or yarnsarranged in a woven configuration or a substantially non-wovenconfiguration, each of the plurality of fibers or yarns being formedfrom a substantially natural material; (ii) loosening a top portion of asoil bed to prepare the soil bed for a planting of seeds; (iii) applyinga plurality of seeds to the soil bed such that the plurality of seedsare embedded in the soil bed; (iv) unrolling and arranging a pluralityof strips of the eco-friendly netting on a top of the soil bed in anoverlapping manner; (v) anchoring a plurality of outer edges of theplurality of the netting strips into the ground so as to retain theeco-friendly netting in place; (vi) irrigating the plurality of seeds inthe soil bed so that grass grows in the soil bed and roots of the grassintertwine with the plurality of fibers or yarns of the eco-friendlynetting; and (vii) harvesting sod when the grass develops into a maturestate.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the method furthercomprises the step of: (viii) applying at least one of additionalseeding, fertilizers, soil amendments, and herbicides to the pluralityof seeds in the soil bed.

In yet a further embodiment, the method further comprises the step of:(viii) mowing the sod when the grass reaches a predetermined height.

In still a further embodiment, the method further comprises the step of:(viii) applying a veneer of soil on the eco-friendly netting.

In accordance with yet one or more other embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a method of harvesting sod using aneco-friendly netting. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providingan eco-friendly netting that includes a plurality of fibers or yarnsarranged in a woven configuration or a substantially non-wovenconfiguration, each of the plurality of fibers or yarns being formedfrom a substantially natural material; (ii) installing a roll of theeco-friendly netting in a mechanical harvester; (iii) dispensing theeco-friendly netting from the roll, and supporting the underside of sodcut and extracted by the mechanical harvester prior to the sod beingwound onto a core; (iv) when a sod roll formed by the winding of the sodonto the core reaches a predetermined diameter, cutting the sod andwrapping the eco-friendly netting around the sod roll a predeterminednumber of times so as to secure the sod roll; and (v) cutting theeco-friendly netting with a blade on the harvester.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the sod roll comprisesa plurality of sod rolls, and wherein steps (iii)-(v) in the aboveparagraph are repeated for each of the plurality of sod rolls.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description of the present invention are merelyexemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description of the inventionshould not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in anysense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of eco-friendly netting used in the growingand harvesting of sod and plants, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of an exemplary leno weave used inconjunction with embodiments of the eco-friendly netting describedherein;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view depicting the loosening of a topsoil bedin an exemplary sod growing method that utilizes the eco-friendlynetting described herein;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view depicting the application of grass seedsto the topsoil bed in the exemplary sod growing method;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view depicting the placement of a plurality ofoverlapping strips of the eco-friendly netting on the topsoil bed in theexemplary sod growing method;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view depicting the anchoring of the pluralityof overlapping strips of the eco-friendly netting on the topsoil bed inthe exemplary sod growing method;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view further illustrating the anchoring of theplurality of overlapping strips of the eco-friendly netting in FIG. 6,wherein the sectional view is generally cut along the cutting-plane lineA-A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view depicting the irrigation of the pluralityof seeds in the topsoil bed in the exemplary sod growing method;

FIG. 9 is a illustrative view depicting roots of grass in the sod beingintertwined with the eco-friendly netting in the exemplary sod growingmethod;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view depicting the installation of a roll ofeco-friendly netting in a mechanical harvester in an exemplary sodharvesting method which utilizes the eco-friendly netting describedherein;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view depicting the dispensing of theeco-friendly netting from its roll, and the supporting of the sod usingthe dispensed netting in the exemplary sod harvesting method; and

FIG. 12 is an illustrative view depicting the wrapping of a sod rollusing the eco-friendly netting, and the cutting of the netting after thesod roll has been wrapped in the exemplary sod harvesting method.

Throughout the figures, the same elements are always denoted using thesame reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only bedescribed once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, it can be seen that, in an illustratedembodiment, the eco-friendly netting 10 may comprise a plurality of weftyarns 12 with a plurality of pairs of warp yarns 14, 16 that are twistedaround the weft yarns 12 in order to form netting material having agrid-like pattern. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, thegrid-like pattern of the eco-friendly netting 10 defines a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular netting apertures 18 formed by the intertwinedweft yarns 12 and warp yarns 14, 16. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that thenetting apertures 18 of the eco-friendly netting 10 are generallyarranged in a grid-like configuration.

One suitable application for the eco-friendly netting described hereinis illustrated in FIG. 9. In this figure, it can be seen that strips 40of the eco-friendly netting 10 are being used in the process of growingsod. More particularly, the strips 40 of the eco-friendly netting 10 arepositioned in the topsoil bed 28 at the base of the sod so that theroots 52 of the grass 50 may become intertwined therein. As describedhereinafter, the eco-friendly netting 10 is also particularlywell-suited for harvesting sod.

In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 includes aplurality of fibers or yarns arranged in a woven configuration or asubstantially non-woven configuration. The substantially non-wovenconfiguration may comprise a large portion of fibers or yarns that arenon-woven and a small portion of fibers or yarns that are woven (i.e.,the substantially non-woven configuration is mostly comprised ofnon-woven fibers or yarns, but may contain some woven fibers or yarns).Alternatively, the substantially non-woven configuration may be entirelycomprised of non-woven fibers or yarns. Each of the plurality of fibersor yarns is formed from a substantially natural material or an entirelynatural material. The substantially natural material may be mostlyformed from a natural material (e.g., jute and/or cotton), but may alsocontain a small amount of an unnatural material (e.g., plastic).Alternatively, the substantially natural material may be entirelycomprised of a natural material. Advantageously, the utilization of asubstantially natural material for the plurality of netting fibers oryarns provides an eco-friendly, reliable and better performingalternative to plastic netting, while significantly reducing both thechances of netting entanglement in grass mowing equipment and the threatof wildlife entrapment. In some embodiments, the substantially naturalmaterial forming the eco-friendly netting 10 may comprise a combinationof jute and cotton fibers. As one non-limiting example, the eco-friendlynetting 10 may contain 80% by weight of jute fibers and 20% by weight ofcotton fibers. Also, the substantially natural material forming theeco-friendly netting 10 may be configured to naturally absorb water soas to increase a weight of the material so that the netting 10 is morelikely to remain in place when being used (i.e., the netting 10 will beless likely to be blown out of place by wind, etc.). As one non-limitingexample, the eco-friendly netting 10 may absorb 100% to 300% by weightof water. The absorption of water by the netting 10 allows it to “hug”the soil. By virtue of its unique, interwoven, twisted construction, thenetting 10 is stronger, and has superior dimensional stability andadherence to the soil during the initial stages of planting and duringharvesting. The netting may have a weight that is greater than a nettingformed from plastic or another polymeric material used for sod growing(e.g., the netting have a weight that is 200% to 600% more than plasticnetting). The netting 10 may also include seeds and/or fertilizersand/or water absorbing materials. For example, the netting 10 maycomprise seeds, such as Fescue, Rye, Bluegrass, Bermuda, Zoysia,Centipede, etc. Also, as an example, the netting 10 may comprisefertilizers containing pre-determined proportions of Nitrogen,Phosphorous and Potassium and/or water absorbing materials comprisingHydrophilic crystalline polymers. In one or more embodiments, thenetting 10 is pre-seeded prior to installation (e.g., pre-seeded withgrass seeds). For example, an adhesive medium may be used to bond theseeds to the netting 10. As it is used throughout this disclosure, theconjunction “and/or” means one, or the other, or both (e.g., when it issaid that the netting 10 may comprise jute and/or cotton fibers, thismeans that the netting 10 may comprise jute fibers without cottonfibers, the netting 10 may comprise cotton fibers without jute fibers,or that the netting 10 may comprise both jute and cotton fibers). Also,throughout this disclosure, dimensional quantities in millimeters areabbreviated “mm”.

In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 may be heavyenough to stay in place when typical wind forces are acting thereonduring the installation thereof. For example, the eco-friendly netting10 may be 200% to 600% heavier than conventional plastic netting.

In some embodiments, the substantially natural material forming theeco-friendly netting 10 may comprise an entirely natural materialcomprised of completely organic, non-synthetic fibers or yarns from arenewable resource. In these embodiments, the plurality of fibersforming the eco-friendly netting 10 do not comprise a polymeric materialor plastic. Thus, the negative environmental impact resulting from theuse of plastic is eliminated. Also, the plurality of fibers or yarnsforming the eco-friendly netting 10 may have attractive earthen toneswith no chemicals or dyes. When provided with an aesthetically pleasing,natural earthen color, the netting 10 may blend in with the roots andthe soil of the sod. For example, the natural earthen color of thenetting 10 may comprise sand, honey, or taupe color tones.Advantageously, when the netting 10 is provided with a natural earthencolor, the netting 10 is undyed and unbleached.

In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, the pluralityof fibers forming the eco-friendly netting 10 are arranged in aninterwoven, twisted configuration. The interwoven, twisted configurationin which the plurality of netting fibers or yarns are arranged maycomprise either a leno weave or a basket weave (i.e., the woven fabricplies may comprise either a leno weave or a basket weave).Advantageously, the use of a leno weave or a basket weave results in astronger netting material. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, anexemplary leno weave 20 may comprise two (2) warp yarns 24, 26 that aretwisted around weft yarns 22 in order to provide a strong nettingmaterial. Advantageously, the leno weave produces an open fabric withvirtually no yarn slippage or misplacement of threads. That is, when aleno weave is used, each weft yarn is held in place by one (1) warp yarnabove and one (1) warp yarn below. The warp yarn running above a weftyarn runs below the adjacent weft yarns, and a warp yarn running below aweft yarn runs above the adjacent weft yarns, thereby creating a twistand lock effect, which results in excellent dimensional stability.

In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 is constructedin a leno weave with warp and weft of jute yarns having a thicknessbetween approximately 0.5 millimeters (mm) and approximately 1.5millimeters (mm), inclusive (or between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, inclusive), amesh aperture size of between approximately 50.0 mm by 30.0 mm andapproximately 20.0 mm by 10.0 mm (or between 50.0 mm by 30.0 mm and 20.0mm by 10.0 mm), and a mass per unit area of between approximately 20grams per square meter and approximately 40 grams per square meter,inclusive (or between 20 grams per square meter and 40 grams per squaremeter, inclusive). The mesh aperture sizes listed above are given interms of length by width of the mesh opening.

In one or more other embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 isconstructed in a leno weave with warp and weft of jute yarns having athickness between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.5 mm,inclusive (or between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, inclusive), a mesh aperturesize of between approximately 25.0 mm by 15.0 mm and approximately 10.0mm by 8.0 mm (or between 25.0 mm by 15.0 mm and 10.0 mm by 8.0 mm), anda mass per unit area of between approximately 40 grams per square meterand approximately 60 grams per square meter, inclusive (or between 40grams per square meter and 60 grams per square meter, inclusive). Themesh aperture sizes listed above are given in terms of length by widthof the mesh opening.

The plurality of fibers forming the eco-friendly netting 10 may besubstantially biodegradable, and may be configured to decompose withoutrequiring exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (i.e., without directexposure to the rays of the sun). The substantially biodegradablenetting 10 may comprise mostly biodegradable fibers, but may containsome fibers that are not biodegradable. Alternatively, the substantiallybiodegradable netting 10 may comprise entirely biodegradable fibers. Theplurality of netting fibers or yarns may be configured to releasenutrients to the soil as the fibers or yarns decompose so as to enhancethe growth of grass in a sod growing application. In some embodiments,the netting 10 may have a longevity of between approximately 1 month andapproximately 60 months, inclusive (or a longevity between 1 month and60 months, inclusive). In some other embodiments, the netting 10 mayhave a longevity of between approximately 1 month and approximately 24months, inclusive (or a longevity between 1 month and 24 months,inclusive). For the sod harvesting application, it is desirable thatthat the netting biodegrades rather quickly after the harvested sod isinstalled in place. As such, for the sod harvesting application, thelongevity may be closer to the lower end of the exemplary longevityranges listed above. In the sod growing application, the netting mustremain structurally intact and be able to hold the root structuretogether until it is ready to harvest. Thus, for the sod growingapplication, the longevity may be closer to the upper end of theexemplary longevity ranges listed above. This could be one growingseason to several growing seasons. Some varieties of grass in certainclimatic conditions require an even longer time to grow and mature. Theecofriendly netting used in such applications requires an even longerlongevity. In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 maybe treated or processed to increase or decrease its functionallongevity. For example, the netting 10 may be treated with arot-resistant additive.

In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 is treated orprocessed with anti-rot agents, degrading accelerators, nutrients,pesticides, fungicides, algaecides, herbicides (weed killers), waterabsorption/retention enhancers or any combination thereof.

In one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 may have a yarnthickness of between approximately 0.1 millimeters and approximately 2.0millimeters, inclusive (or between 0.1 millimeters and 2.0 millimeters,inclusive). More specifically, in one or more embodiments, theeco-friendly netting 10 may have a yarn thickness of betweenapproximately 0.5 millimeters and approximately 1.5 millimeters,inclusive (or between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, inclusive).For example, if a cotton thread is used for the yarn of the eco-friendlynetting 10, the yarn thickness may be closer to the lower end of therange (e.g., approximately 0.1 millimeters). The netting 10 may alsohave a mass per unit area of less than 100 grams per square meter (gsm).More specifically, in one or more exemplary embodiments, theeco-friendly netting 10 may have a mass per unit area of betweenapproximately 20 grams per square meter (gsm) and 40 grams per squaremeter (gsm), inclusive (or between 20 gsm and 40 gsm, inclusive). In oneor more other exemplary embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 mayhave a mass per unit area of between approximately 40 grams per squaremeter (gsm) and 60 grams per square meter (gsm), inclusive (or between40 gsm and 60 gsm, inclusive). In addition, the netting may have alongitudinal wide width strip tensile strength of less than 500 poundsper foot, and a transverse wide width strip tensile strength of lessthan 500 pounds per foot, according to a test performed in accordancewith ASTM Standard D 4595 (Standard Test Method for Tensile Propertiesof Geotextiles by the Wide-Width Strip Method). More specifically, inone or more exemplary embodiments, the eco-friendly netting 10 may havea longitudinal wide width strip tensile strength of betweenapproximately 20 pounds per foot and approximately 300 pounds per foot,inclusive (or between 20 pounds per foot and 300 pounds per foot,inclusive), and a transverse wide width strip tensile strength ofbetween approximately 20 pounds per foot and approximately 300 poundsper foot, inclusive (or between 20 pounds per foot and 300 pounds perfoot, inclusive), according to a test performed in accordance with ASTMStandard D 4595 (Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties ofGeotextiles by the Wide-Width Strip Method). The tensile strength of theeco-friendly netting 10 needs to be adequate to hold the root systemtogether and to carry the weight of the mature sod during harvesting andinstallation.

As mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the eco-friendly netting10 may have a plurality of fibers or yarns that form a pattern ofnetting apertures 18 (see FIG. 1). Each of the netting apertures 18 mayhave an opening size of at least approximately 6.0 mm by approximately6.0 mm (or at least 6.0 mm by 6.0 mm). For example, in one exemplaryembodiment, the netting apertures 18 may have a mesh aperture size ofbetween approximately 50.0 mm by 30.0 mm and approximately 20.0 mm by10.0 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, the netting apertures 18 mayhave a mesh aperture size of between approximately 25.0 mm by 15.0 mmand approximately 10.0 mm by 8.0 mm. Opening sizes in these exemplaryranges provide enough open area for the grass to grow unobstructed.

The netting 10 may have a water retention percentage of 100 to 300percent. Advantageously, unlike traditional plastic netting, theeco-friendly netting can absorb water and release it back to the rootsystem. This creates an ideal microclimate for the healthy rootdevelopment.

Now, a first exemplary application for the eco-friendly netting 10 willbe described. In particular, the eco-friendly netting 10 is particularlyuseful for growing sod. Initially, with reference to FIG. 3, in the sodgrowing process, a top portion of a topsoil bed 28 is loosened in orderto prepare the topsoil bed 28 for a planting of seeds (e.g., by a person34 loosening the topsoil bed 28 with a rake 32). For example, the uppertwo (2) to three (3) inches of the topsoil 28 is loosened to prepare theseed bed. As an alternative to using to the illustrated rake 32, the topportion of a topsoil bed 28 may be loosened using a tiller or anothersuitable device. The lower soil layers 30, which are disposed underneaththe topsoil bed 28, are not required to be loosened. Also, any weeds,clods, wood, or other obstructions that may interfere with theinstallation of the netting 10 are removed. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, aplurality of seeds 36 is applied to the topsoil bed 28 (e.g., by using aseed spreader 38) such that the plurality of seeds 36 are embedded inthe topsoil bed 28 (e.g., a machine, such as a roller, may be used toembed the seeds into the topsoil bed after the seeding thereof). The useof a roller ensures that a majority of the seeds 36 have goodseed-to-soil contact. After which, turning to FIG. 5, a plurality ofstrips 40 of the eco-friendly netting 10 are unrolled from netting rolls42, and are arranged on a top of the topsoil bed 28 in an overlappingmanner. For example, each of the plurality of strips 40 of theeco-friendly netting 10 in FIG. 5 may be overlapped side-to-side aminimum of six (6) inches in a shingle-style manner with the upper layerpointing in the direction of the prevailing wind. Also, the strips 40 ofthe eco-friendly netting 10 in FIG. 5 may be overlapped end-to-end aminimum of six (6) inches in a shingle-style manner with the upper layerpointing in the direction of the prevailing wind. In one exemplaryembodiment, the eco-friendly netting 10 may be unrolled from the nettingrolls 42 using a fieldnet installer device that may be attached to atractor. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the eco-friendlynetting 10 may be manually unrolled from the netting rolls 42 by aperson. Following the placement of each of the netting strips 40, one ormore outer edges of each placed netting strip 40 are anchored into theground using anchors 44 so as to retain the eco-friendly netting 10 inplace (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7). That is, in one or more embodiments, theanchors 44 for a particular netting strip 40 may be installed after thatparticular netting strip 40 is placed on the topsoil bed 28 such thatthe netting strips 40 are generally anchored one at a time as they arepositioned on the topsoil bed 28. For example, the outer edges of theplurality of the netting strips 40 may be anchored into the ground byusing anchors about six (6) feet on center parallel to the longitudinaledge of netting, and about three (3) inches from either of the edges. Inmost cases, there is no need to place anchors in the mid-section area ofthe netting. Also, at the end of each roll, anchors may be installedapproximately three (3) feet on center, and approximately three (3)inches from the edge parallel to the transverse edge of the roll. Afterinstalling the eco-friendly netting 10 on the topsoil bed 28, the sodgrowing process may include the further step of applying a veneer ofsoil. After which, the plurality of seeds 36 in the topsoil bed 28 isirrigated (e.g., by using an irrigation system with a plurality ofsprinkler heads 48 that distribute streams of water 46—see FIG. 8) sothat grass 50 grows in the topsoil bed 28 and roots 52 of the grass 50intertwine with the plurality of fibers or yarns of the strips 40 of theeco-friendly netting 10. That is, the netting 10 enables grass seedlingsof the sod to germinate and grow, while their root systems 52 intertwinewith the fibers or yarns of the netting 10, thereby producing a sturdyfoundation for an earlier harvest. The netting 10 becomes a reinforcinggrid around which the roots 52 will grow and intertwine to form anintegrated system. Finally, once the grass develops into a mature state(e.g., as shown in FIG. 9), the sod is harvested and ready for use.Advantageously, as a result of utilizing the netting 10 in the sodgrowing process, once the grass is mature, the sod can be harvestedimmediately saving time and allowing up to twice as much sod to beproduced in the same amount of space. The end result is a more efficientand higher production with reduced growing time. Also, because the rootsystems of the grass seedlings intertwine with the netting 10 as theygrow, a stronger foundation is provided, thereby resulting in an earlierharvest. The eco-friendly netting 10 will eventually biodegrade andrelease soil nutrients after its functional life.

If required, the sod growing process may also include the further stepof applying at least one of fertilizers, soil amendments, and herbicidesto the plurality of seeds in the topsoil bed. The sod growing processmay also include the additional step of mowing the sod when the grassreaches a predetermined height (e.g., a height of approximately three(3) to four (4) inches).

Next, a second exemplary application for the eco-friendly netting 10will be explained. In particular, the eco-friendly netting 10 is alsoparticularly useful for harvesting sod. Initially, with reference toFIG. 10, in the sod harvesting process, a roll 54 of the eco-friendlynetting 10 is installed in a mechanical harvester 56. Next, turning toFIG. 11, the harvester cuts and extracts the sod 64, and places the sod64 onto its conveyor belts 60, 62. Then, with continued reference toFIG. 11, the eco-friendly netting 10 is dispensed from the roll 54, theunrolled portion 55 of the netting 10 is guided by means of rollers 58on the mechanical harvester, and the underside of the sod 64 extractedand cut by the mechanical harvester is supported using the unrolledportion 55 of the eco-friendly netting 10 prior to the sod 64 beingwound onto a core. After which, as shown in FIG. 12, when a sod rollthus formed by the winding of the sod 64 onto the core 66 (e.g., apolyvinyl chloride (PVC) or cardboard core) reaches a predetermineddiameter (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12), the sod 64 is cut, and theunrolled portion 55 of the eco-friendly netting 10 is wrapped around thesod roll a predetermined number of times (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12) soas to secure the sod roll. Finally, referring again to FIG. 12, theunrolled portion 55 of the eco-friendly netting 10 is cut with a blade68 on the harvester. In one embodiment, only the outer layer of the sodroll is wrapped with the eco-friendly netting 10, while in analternative embodiment, a layer of the netting 10 is placed undersubstantially the entire length, or the entire length of the cut sod,and then the netting and sod layers are rolled into a single large sodroll.

When a plurality of sod rolls are being harvested, the steps ofdispensing the netting, supporting the sod using the netting, windingthe sod around a core, cutting the sod roll, wrapping the netting aroundthe sod roll, and cutting the netting are repeated for each of theplurality of sod rolls. Also, when one roll 54 of the netting 10 isfinished, another roll 54 may be installed in the harvester, and thesteps described above may be repeated. In one or more embodiments, whenthe eco-friendly netting 10 is used for the above described sodharvesting application, it may have a different mesh opening size andmass per unit area as compared to the netting used for growing sod.

It is readily apparent that the eco-friendly netting 10 described hereinoffers numerous advantages. First, the eco-friendly netting 10 offers aneco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic turf netting for sodgrowers and harvesters that does not have the negative environmentalimpacts of plastic netting. Secondly, the eco-friendly netting 10significantly reduces the chances of netting entanglement in grassmowing equipment and the threat of wildlife entrapment by its uniquestructure and composition. In addition, the eco-friendly netting isheavier than conventional plastic netting so as to greatly reduce thelikelihood that the netting will be displaced by natural forces actingthereon, such as that of wind-induced forces. The structure of thenetting 10 helps to provide a windproof installation, saving time andmoney. Finally, the eco-friendly netting 10 described herein isparticularly well-suited for growth support or root reinforcement, andfor structural backing and/or sod roll layer separation during sodharvesting. Because of the unique structure of the netting 10, thenetting 10 is capable of being laid more smoothly and requires lesslabor to install. The netting 10 increases crop turnover and produces anearlier harvest with higher annual yields, thereby resulting in higherprofits. Also, because the eco-friendly netting is derived fromrenewable resources which are natural, biodegradable, and organic, thecarbon foot print is minimal. After its functional life, theeco-friendly netting will biodegrade, releasing soil nutrients back tonature.

Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments andvariations can be used in combination with any of the other features andattributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this inventioncan be embodied in many different forms and that many othermodifications and variations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention.

Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplaryembodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and shouldnot be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scopeof the invention is defined only by the appended claims and theirequivalents, and not, by the preceding description.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An eco-friendly netting for growing and/orharvesting sod and/or plants, said eco-friendly netting comprising: aplurality of fibers or yarns arranged in a woven configuration, each ofsaid plurality of fibers or yarns being formed from a substantiallynatural material without cotton fibers, wherein said woven configurationcomprises a leno weave, and wherein said plurality of fibers or yarnsform a pattern of netting apertures, at least one of said nettingapertures having an opening size of at least 8.0 millimeters by at least8.0 millimeters.
 2. The eco-friendly netting according to claim 1,wherein said plurality of fibers or yarns are substantiallybiodegradable and are configured to decompose without requiring exposureto ultraviolet radiation.
 3. The eco-friendly netting according to claim1, wherein said substantially natural material is configured to absorbwater so as to increase a weight of said material and release theabsorbed water back to a root system in adjacent soil.
 4. Theeco-friendly netting according to claim 1, wherein said plurality offibers or yarns are arranged in an interwoven, twisted configuration. 5.The eco-friendly netting according to claim 1, wherein said plurality offibers or yarns are configured to release nutrients to the soil as saidfibers or yarns decompose.
 6. The eco-friendly netting according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of fibers or yarns do not comprise apolymeric material or plastic.
 7. The eco-friendly netting according toclaim 1, wherein said substantially natural material comprises jute. 8.The eco-friendly netting according to claim 1, wherein said netting hasa weight that is greater than a netting made from plastic or anotherpolymeric material traditionally used for sod growing and harvesting. 9.The eco-friendly netting according to claim 1, wherein said netting hasa yarn thickness of between approximately 0.1 millimeters andapproximately 2.0 millimeters, inclusive.
 10. The eco-friendly nettingaccording to claim 1, wherein said netting has a mass per unit area ofless than 100 grams per square meter.
 11. The eco-friendly nettingaccording to claim 1, wherein said netting has a longevity of betweenapproximately 1 month and approximately 60 months, inclusive.
 12. Theeco-friendly netting according to claim 1, wherein said netting has alongitudinal wide width strip tensile strength of less than 500 poundsper foot.
 13. The eco-friendly netting according to claim 1, whereinsaid netting has a transversal wide width strip tensile strength of lessthan 500 pounds per foot.
 14. The eco-friendly netting according toclaim 1, wherein said netting is treated or processed with arot-resistive additive.
 15. The eco-friendly netting according to claim1, wherein said netting is treated or processed with at least one ofanti-rot agents, degrading accelerators, nutrients, pesticides,fungicides, algaecides, herbicides, water absorption enhancers, waterretention enhancers, or any combination thereof.
 16. The eco-friendlynetting according to claim 1, wherein said netting is treated orprocessed to increase or decrease a functional longevity of saidnetting.
 17. A method of growing sod using an eco-friendly netting, saidmethod comprising the steps of: (i) providing an eco-friendly netting,which includes: a plurality of fibers or yarns arranged in a wovenconfiguration, each of said plurality of fibers or yarns being formedfrom a substantially natural material without cotton fibers, whereinsaid woven configuration comprises a leno weave, and wherein saidplurality of fibers or yarns form a pattern of netting apertures, atleast one of said netting apertures having an opening size of at least8.0 millimeters by at least 8.0 millimeters; (ii) loosening a topportion of a soil bed to prepare said soil bed for a planting of seeds;(iii) applying a plurality of seeds to said soil bed such that saidplurality of seeds are embedded in said soil bed; (iv) unrolling andarranging a plurality of strips of said eco-friendly netting on a top ofsaid soil bed in an overlapping manner; (v) anchoring a plurality ofouter edges of said plurality of said netting strips into the ground soas to retain said eco-friendly netting in place; (vi) irrigating saidplurality of seeds in said soil bed so that grass grows in said soil bedand roots of said grass intertwine with said plurality of fibers oryarns of said eco-friendly netting; and (vii) harvesting sod when saidgrass develops into a mature state.
 18. The method according to claim17, further comprising the step of: (viii) applying at least one ofadditional seeding, irrigation, fertilizers, soil amendments, andherbicides to said plurality of seeds in said soil bed.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising the step of: (viii) mowingsaid sod when said grass reaches a predetermined height.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising the step of: (viii) applying aveneer of soil on said eco-friendly netting.
 21. A method of harvestingsod using an eco-friendly netting, said method comprising the steps of:(i) providing an eco-friendly netting, which includes: a plurality offibers or yarns arranged in a woven configuration, each of saidplurality of fibers or yarns being formed from a substantially naturalmaterial without cotton fibers, wherein said woven configurationcomprises a leno weave, and wherein said plurality of fibers or yarnsform a pattern of netting apertures, at least one of said nettingapertures having an opening size of at least 8.0 millimeters by at least8.0 millimeters; (ii) installing a netting roll of said eco-friendlynetting in a mechanical harvester; (iii) dispensing said eco-friendlynetting from said netting roll, and supporting an underside of sod cutand extracted by said mechanical harvester prior to said sod being woundonto a core; (iv) when a sod roll formed by the winding of said sod ontosaid core reaches a predetermined diameter, cutting said sod andwrapping said eco-friendly netting around said sod roll a predeterminednumber of times so as to secure said sod roll; and (v) cutting saideco-friendly netting with a blade on said harvester.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 21, wherein said sod roll comprises a plurality ofsod rolls, and wherein the following steps of claim 21 are repeated foreach of said plurality of sod rolls: dispensing said eco-friendlynetting from said netting roll, and supporting an underside of said sodcut and extracted by said mechanical harvester prior to said sod beingwound onto a core; when a sod roll formed by the winding of said sodonto said core reaches a predetermined diameter, cutting said sod andwrapping said eco-friendly netting around said sod roll a predeterminednumber of times so as to secure said sod roll; and cutting saideco-friendly netting with said blade on said harvester.